A comprehensive checklist for showing your home for sale by owner can significantly enhance your chances of attracting potential buyers and securing a successful sale.
Verify Buyer Qualifications: Ensure all buyers are financially qualified, whether they are working with a Buyer’s Agent or representing themselves. Request a verification of funds statement if they are paying cash (a bank statement with all but the last four numbers of the account blacked out will suffice). If a buyer intends to use a loan, request a copy of the pre-approval letter verifying the buyer is financially qualified at or above the list price. It is imperative the letter is signed by the lender, as such letters are easy to create. If you receive an unsigned pre-approval letter, request the lender to physically sign the letter and do not hesitate to contact the lender directly to verify authenticity. Time is money, and your time is valuable.
Create Informational Materials: Prepare a flyer, bullet point summary, or binder with details and photographs reflecting any renovations, remodeling, or updates facilitated during your time of ownership. The buyer will appreciate the attention to detail and pride of ownership, and it will provide valuable insight to the appraiser when they evaluate the home.
Footwear Protection: Create a shoe removal or footwear protection station. This is especially important during inclement weather. If you prefer buyers not remove their shoes in your home, shoe booties are available via Amazon or at your local hardware store.
Protect Valuables: Lock up or remove guns, jewelry, money, and medicine. It is impossible for a seller or buyer agent to watch multiple buyers at every moment they are in the home.
Depersonalize the Home: Remove personal photos and religious items to help buyers envision themselves in the home.
First Impressions: One of the most important aspects featured on your checklist for showing your home for sale by owner includes making sure the front of the home is well-maintained, all landscaping is well-manicured, and the front porch and backyard are cleared of clutter. If you are hosting an open house, park elsewhere so the buyer has a clear view of the front yard of your home.
Neutralize Odorss: Neutralizing odors is an imperative component to your checklist for showing your home for sale by owner. Open the windows to freshen the air when the temperature permits, especially after cooking aromatic foods (e.g., fish and strong spices) or if there are pets. A quick way to neutralize smells or remove stains from carpeting or rugs is to use the baking soda remedy. Opening the windows will also help with humidity after a shower. Another trick is to pick a welcoming fragrant spray, spritz the furnace filter a couple of times, and then run the fan for a few minutes to enable the fragrance to waft throughout the home. If you choose to use this strategy, select a fragrance that is not overwhelming. Some sellers have chosen an oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookie fragrance and then left a plate of store-bought cookies on the counter with small bottles of water to welcome potential buyers, while others have preferred a hazelnut coffee scent or seasonal fragrance. Set the ceiling fans on low (lights on) to improve airflow throughout the home and provide additional lighting as needed for ambiance. Ceiling fans on low (lights on) to improve airflow throughout the home and provide additional lighting as needed for ambiance.
Clean and Declutter: Empty all trash cans and hide dirty laundry. Some sellers bag up their dirty laundry and put it in their car during showings.
Maximize Natural Light: Open the blinds and draperies as natural light makes each room appear more open and inviting. Some sellers play background music, such as soft jazz, for showings to create additional ambiance.
Bathroom Cleanliness: Store personal toiletry items out of sight and keep toilet seats down. The bathroom should feel luxurious with clean towels, neutral art, clean bathtubs, floors, mirrors, showers, sinks, toilets, and vanities. Opening the shower curtain will make the bathroom appear spacious and inviting.
Kitchen and Living Areas: A welcoming and spacious kitchen is crucial when selling a home. Clear off the counters, clean the cabinets, pantry, refrigerator, and sink. Displaying a basket of fresh fruit is a lovely touch. Instead of preparing fresh-baked cookies, you can create a low-maintenance centerpiece with a glass vase partially filled with hazelnut coffee beans and dried flowers. The coffee beans offer an inviting fragrance, and you simply need to give the vase a little shake before showings to freshen the smell. The living areas should be clean, organized, and depersonalized.
Organize Closets: Make the beds and declutter the closets. The ideal closet will appear half-empty and well-organized, showing ample room for additional belongings.
Secure Pets: If you are unable to temporarily relocate pets for a showing, it is important to secure all pets and ensure everyone is aware of their presence. Keep in mind that not all buyers are pet enthusiasts, so it is best to put all pet products away and neutralize any odors.
Request Feedback: Place a small stack of index cards on the counter with a lovely note asking the buyer to graciously leave an anonymous opinion of the home. This is crucial to your marketing strategy and should be incorporated into your checklist for showing your home for sale by owner. If the buyer is not interested in presenting an offer, respectfully request their thoughts to improve the marketability of the home. Buyers are often willing to offer an honest opinion to help one another when offered anonymity.
Selling your home on your own without the assistance of a full service Real Estate Brokerage will require both commitment and due diligence for which you may be rewarded by saving thousands of dollars in commissions. Maximizing marketing exposure is key. I have been in this industry for 4 decades, have SOLD well over a BILLION DOLLARS in Real Estate & Saved Sellers Millions of Dollars in Real Estate commissions. Please contact our team to learn how the For Sale By Owner Flat Fee MLS Listing Options at Ohio Broker Direct will enhance your marketing exposure to ensure a more expeditious sale, yielding a higher price with better terms that suit your specific needs. Reach out to us directly, visit our blog page or sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest information to ensure you have the knowledge to maximize your profit!
